Warm Up Somewhere Cosy
At The Tib Street Tipi @ Dive Nq
I’ve got to say, nothing feels more Christmassy than getting wrapped up in a hat and comfy scarf and huddling somewhere when it is cold outside. Sure, the Christmas markets are pretty good for this, but the Tib Street Tipi at Dive NQ has ‘hgyee’ written all over it and we cannot get enough. Pile into the tipi, warm up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate (or a cocktail!) and the people love and feel this Christmas spirit fill the deepest recesses of your cold dark soul.
Buy Some Gifts
At The Manchester Makers Markets
It’s got to be said that the Manchester Christmas markets are the home to an outrageous amount of tat. Wooden ties? You’ve got to be kidding me. I do understand the urge to get some lovely, unique gifts for your loved ones though – and so this year I am going to push you in the direction of the Manchester’s Makers Markets. They were in the NQ this past weekend and will be in Chorlton on Saturday (15th) and Spinningfields this Sunday (16th) with a large array of Mancunian makers and street food traders offering their stunningly artisanal wares.
Enjoy a Mulled Wine
At Glogg
Mulled wine isn’t called ‘Christmas in a cup’ for no reason. Warm, spiced and most importantly, alcoholic- mulled wine is everything you need to get through the Christmas season. Every man and his dog starts mulling their plonk as soon as October hits, so it can often be hard to sift out the bad stuff but one place we like is Glogg – a pop-up bar in The Barton Arcade dedicated entirely to mulled wine. They have loads of flavours to choose from (like white chocolate and bubble gum to name a few), its miles cheaper and you don’t have to rent the fucking cup.
Enjoy a Real Bavarian Hot Dog
At Albert Schloss
Look, I’m don’t want to sound too much like you-know-who, but the hot dogs at the Markets are not authentic in the slightest. If you want to sample a taste of true Bavaria, I want you to look to Albert Schloss for one of their stunning bratwursts. Schloss has an entire section of their menu dedicated to wieners from currywurst, to kasewurst, to classic brat to the outrageously good paprikawurst. Choose your sausage as a hot dog and fries for ‘Bier Halle style’ with salad, mustard and potato salad. You will be leaving in lederhosen before you even know what’s happening.
Drink Beers and be Merry!
Bar Hutte
You have to admit it, a pint or two at the markets as you walk about it pretty nice, but half of the pleasure that comes from that comes from being able to have a beer outside. What I do not like is paying outrageous prices for terrible beer, and so this year the only place I am having my festive beers is over at Bar Hutte. These are little ‘Apres-Ski’ cabins on Cross Street and in Spinningfields where you can cosy up, have a few cold ones and even sing karaoke – I’m sold.
